Citation Scenarios
Real-world situations with step-by-step citation guidance
Need a fresh example to practice each scenario? Generate tailored prompts with PromptCraft and test yourself with new source situations.
Wondering when and how to cite in specific situations? These scenarios show you exactly what to do, with detailed explanations and examples in APA, MLA, and Chicago formats.
Using Information from a Textbook
You're writing a paper and want to reference a concept explained in your textbook
❓ The Question:
Do I need to cite facts from my course textbook? It's required reading, so doesn't everyone already know this?
✅ The Answer:
YES, you must cite your textbook! Even if it's required reading, the information comes from the authors, not you. Treat textbooks like any other source.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
According to Smith and Jones (2022), cognitive development occurs in distinct stages (p. 145).
MLA Format:
Cognitive development occurs in distinct stages (Smith and Jones 145).
Chicago Format:
Cognitive development occurs in distinct stages (Smith and Jones 2022, 145).
💡 Pro Tip:
Always include page numbers when citing textbooks—it helps your professor verify your source.
Information from Class Lecture
Your professor explained a concept in lecture that you want to include in your paper
❓ The Question:
How do I cite something my professor said in class? Do I need the lecture date?
✅ The Answer:
Yes, cite lectures as personal communications. Include the instructor's name and the date (month day, year) of the lecture.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
As discussed in lecture, the theory has three main components (J. Smith, personal communication, October 15, 2023).
MLA Format:
The theory has three main components (Smith, John. Lecture).
Chicago Format:
The theory has three main components (John Smith, lecture, October 15, 2023).
💡 Pro Tip:
If your professor references a specific source during lecture, try to find and cite that original source instead.
Website with No Author
You found great information on a website, but there's no author name listed
❓ The Question:
What do I do if a website doesn't list an author? Can I just skip the citation?
✅ The Answer:
Never skip citations! If there's no individual author, use the organization name. If that's unclear, start with the article title.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
The organization reports that 70% of students need citation help ("Citation Statistics," 2023).
MLA Format:
According to recent data, 70% of students need citation help ("Citation Statistics").
Chicago Format:
Recent data shows 70% of students need citation help ("Citation Statistics" 2023).
💡 Pro Tip:
Look for an "About" page—it often lists the organization responsible for the content.
Using a Statistic You Heard Somewhere
You remember hearing an interesting statistic, but you can't remember the source
❓ The Question:
I heard that "90% of statistics are made up." Can I use this without a citation if I can't find the source?
✅ The Answer:
NO. If you can't find a reliable source for a statistic, don't use it. Making up sources or citing unverifiable information is academic dishonesty.
💡 Pro Tip:
If you can't verify a statistic, try searching Google Scholar or ask a librarian for help finding the original study.
Citing the Same Source Multiple Times
Your paragraph discusses multiple points from the same source
❓ The Question:
Do I need a citation after every sentence if I'm using the same source throughout the paragraph?
✅ The Answer:
Best practice: cite at the beginning (with signal phrase) and at the end of the paragraph. This makes it clear which sentences come from the source.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
Martinez (2023) found that students improve with practice. Those who practiced daily scored 25% higher. Regular practice also increased confidence. These benefits persisted over time (Martinez, 2023).
MLA Format:
Martinez found that students improve with practice, scoring 25% higher with daily work and showing increased confidence over time (Martinez).
Chicago Format:
Martinez found that students improve with practice, with daily work leading to 25% higher scores and increased confidence (Martinez 2023).
💡 Pro Tip:
If you switch sources mid-paragraph, add a new citation where the new source begins.
Using an Image or Chart
You want to include a graph or image from an article in your paper
❓ The Question:
If I'm including a chart or image, do I need to cite it differently?
✅ The Answer:
YES. Images, charts, and graphs need citations! Include a caption below the image with full source information, plus a citation in your text.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
Figure 1: Climate change projections (Smith, 2023, p. 34)
MLA Format:
Fig. 1. Climate change projections (Smith 34).
Chicago Format:
Figure 1: Climate change projections. Source: Smith (2023), 34.
💡 Pro Tip:
If you created the chart yourself using someone else's data, cite the data source and note "Adapted from..."
Your Own Original Idea Inspired by a Source
Reading a source gave you an idea, but the author didn't say exactly what you're saying
❓ The Question:
I read Smith's article and it gave me an idea. Do I cite Smith even though this is my own conclusion?
✅ The Answer:
This is tricky! If your idea builds directly on Smith's work, you can write: "Building on Smith's (2023) theory..." But if it's your own analysis, no citation needed.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
Building on Martinez's (2023) framework, this paper proposes...
MLA Format:
Extending Martinez's framework, this paper proposes...
Chicago Format:
Building on Martinez's framework (2023), this paper proposes...
💡 Pro Tip:
When in doubt, it's better to over-cite than under-cite. Professors appreciate transparency about your sources.
News Article vs. Scholarly Article
You found information in a news article about a research study
❓ The Question:
Can I cite the news article, or do I need to find the original study?
✅ The Answer:
Always try to find the original study! News articles often oversimplify research. If you can't access the original, cite the news article but note it's a secondary source.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
Recent research on sleep patterns (as cited in Johnson, 2023) found...
MLA Format:
Recent research found significant sleep patterns (qtd. in Johnson).
Chicago Format:
Recent research found significant patterns (Johnson 2023, citing original study).
💡 Pro Tip:
News articles usually name the researchers—search for their names + study keywords to find the original publication.
Documentary or Video
You watched a documentary that discussed research you want to reference
❓ The Question:
How do I cite a documentary? Is it different from a regular source?
✅ The Answer:
Yes, documentaries are cited differently. Include the director, title (in italics), production company, and year.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
As shown in the documentary, climate patterns are shifting (Director, 2023, 15:30).
MLA Format:
The documentary demonstrates shifting climate patterns (Documentary Title).
Chicago Format:
Climate patterns are shifting, as demonstrated in the documentary (Documentary Title 2023).
💡 Pro Tip:
Include timestamps (minute:second) for specific scenes you reference—it helps readers find the exact moment.
Multiple Sources Say the Same Thing
Five different sources all state the same fact
❓ The Question:
If multiple sources say the same thing, do I cite all of them or just one?
✅ The Answer:
You can cite multiple sources in one citation to show the claim is well-supported. This strengthens your argument.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
Multiple studies confirm this effect (Jones, 2021; Martinez, 2022; Smith, 2023).
MLA Format:
This effect has been widely documented (Jones; Martinez; Smith).
Chicago Format:
The effect is well documented (Jones 2021; Martinez 2022; Smith 2023).
💡 Pro Tip:
List sources chronologically (oldest first) or alphabetically, depending on your style guide.
Interview You Conducted
You interviewed an expert for your research
❓ The Question:
I interviewed a professor for my paper. How do I cite our conversation?
✅ The Answer:
Personal interviews are cited as personal communications. Include the interviewee's name, "personal interview," and the date.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
According to the expert, the field is evolving rapidly (J. Martinez, personal communication, November 1, 2023).
MLA Format:
The expert noted rapid evolution in the field (Martinez, Juan. Personal interview).
Chicago Format:
The field is evolving rapidly, according to the expert (Juan Martinez, personal interview, November 1, 2023).
💡 Pro Tip:
Keep notes or recordings of interviews (with permission) so you can verify quotes later.
You Found a Source Through Google
You found an article by searching Google, not through a database
❓ The Question:
Do I need to mention that I found this on Google? Does it matter where I found it?
✅ The Answer:
NO! Never cite Google or the database. Only cite the original source (the article, book, or website itself). The search tool doesn't matter.
📝 Examples:
APA Format:
Smith (2023) argues... [Cite Smith's article, not Google]
MLA Format:
The research demonstrates... (Smith) [Cite Smith, not where you found it]
Chicago Format:
Research shows... (Smith 2023) [Cite the source, not the search engine]
💡 Pro Tip:
Think of Google/databases as the library shelves—you cite the book, not the shelf where you found it.